Ludvík Daněk

Ludvík Daněk

The memorial circle in Turnov to recognise his world record in 1964
Personal information
Born	January 6, 1937 Blansko
Died	November 15, 1998 Hutisko-Solanec
Medal record Men's athletics Representing  Czechoslovakia Olympic Games Gold 1972 Munich Discus throw Silver 1964 Tokyo Discus throw Bronze 1968 Mexico Discus throw European Championships Gold 1971 Helsinki Discus throw Silver 1974 Rome Discus throw

Ludvík Daněk (Czech pronunciation: [ˈludviːk ˈdaɲɛk]) (January 6, 1937 in Blansko – November 15, 1998 in Hutisko-Solanec near Vsetín) was a Czechoslovak discus thrower, who won the gold medal at the 1972 Olympic Games with a throw of 64.40 m (211'3").

Daněk competed in four Summer Olympics for Czechoslovakia, winning silver in 1964 Olympics, bronze in 1968 Olympics and gold in 1972 Olympics. He set three world records in discus throw, of 64.55 m in 1964, 65.22 m in 1965 and of 66.07 m in 1966. He also won several medals at the European Athletics Championships. He was the gold medallist at the 1971 European Athletics Championships and was the silver medallist three years later at the 1974 European Athletics Championships.^[1]

The location where he threw his first world record in 1964 is now celebrated with a memorial circle and the venue in Turnov is now called the Ludvík Daněk Stadium. Since 1999, the year following his death, the stadium has hosted an annual track and field meeting in his honour – the Ludvík Daněk Memorial.^[2]

Major competitions

• 1964: Olympic Games: 2nd place (60.52)
• 1966: European Championships: 5th place (56.24)
• 1968: Olympic Games: 3rd place (62.92)
• 1969: European Championships: 4th place (59.30)
• 1971: European Championships: 1st place (63.90)
• 1972: Olympic Games: 1st place (64.40)
• 1974: European Championships: 2nd place (62.76)
• 1976: Olympic Games: 9th place (61.28)

References